Chapter 15 - Boundary Line
The next Saturday morning, Mark arrived at the cottage at exactly 9:00 AM.
As I opened the door, carrying Lily, I noticed he looked incredibly tense. There were dark circles under his eyes, and his posture was rigid.
"Is everything okay?" I asked, handing Lily’s diaper bag to him.
Mark sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Carol told me about Liam’s phone call to you. I am so sorry, Emily. I can't believe he’s still trying to disrupt your life."
"He violated the restraining order," I said, my voice hardening. "The police have a warrant out for him. Rachel is monitoring the situation."
"I’ve increased the security at my place, too," Mark said, looking down at Lily, who was busy playing with his collar. "I don't want him anywhere near her. If he tries to contact me, I’m calling the police immediately. I won't let him hurt either of you again."
"Thank you, Mark," I said, feeling a slight thaw in my cold exterior. At least he was taking this seriously.
Just then, my phone, which was sitting on the porch railing, lit up with a text message. It was from Julian.
> Julian: Contract is signed and the retainer has been wired. Looking forward to our first official strategy session on Monday, Emily!
Mark’s eyes inadvertently flicked to the screen. He saw the name Julian and the exclamation point. I saw his jaw tighten, a flash of the old, possessive Mark appearing for a fraction of a second before he quickly suppressed it, swallowing hard.
"Is... is everything okay?" Mark asked, his voice slightly strained.
"Yes," I said, picking up the phone and turning the screen off. "It’s just a client."
Mark hesitated, looking at me with a complicated expression. "Emily... I know I have no right to ask this. I know we are divorced. But... are you seeing someone?"
I felt a sudden, sharp spike of irritation. "You’re right, Mark. You have absolutely no right to ask that. My personal life is no longer your concern, just as yours is not mine."
"I know," Mark said quickly, raising his hands in a defensive gesture. "I’m sorry. I didn't mean to pry. It’s just... it’s hard. Seeing you move on. Knowing that I’m the reason our family is broken."
"You are the reason," I said, looking him dead in the eye. "But we have both accepted that. Now, your only job is to be Lily’s father. That is the only boundary that matters."
Mark bowed his head. "I understand. I'll see you at five."
May you like
He walked down the steps, and as I watched him drive away, I felt a deep, profound sense of relief. The boundary lines had been drawn, and for the first time, Mark was actually respecting them. He was learning that his jealousy no longer had a home in my life.
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